College season brings challenges

Soon it will be the season that marks the end of the school year. Thousands of high school students who are getting ready to graduate have chosen to continue their education away from home. College opens a new chapter in a child’s life, one that can be exciting for them but sad for most parents. Going to college can symbolize teenagers separating from their parents and making the transition to adulthood. The transition, no matter how exciting, can also bring with it feelings of loss and sadness for parents.

It can never be too early for parents to begin planning for their child to go to college. Preparing for college does not just begin in their high school years, it really begins before you child starts school and continues through middle and high school. But now that your child is graduating, your teen will be living away from home, which can be a scary time for both parent and child. Parents may be feeling anxiety at the thought of their child living away from home and even experience difficulty letting them go. Monitoring how your child is adapting to college is important as they can experience a wide range of emotions. Keeping in contact with your college child may be a challenge.

Some strategies you can use to support your son or daughter during college include:

• Accompany your child to new student orientation and visit throughout the semester.

• Provide ongoing support by emailing, calling and sending letters and care packages.

• Show interest by asking questions about your child’s college experiences. For example, ask about his favorite classes, what he likes most about college, and whether he has joined student organizations or met new people.

• Encourage your child to solve their own problems. Help him to set his own goals, make responsible decisions, and accept responsibility for the consequences of those decisions.

• Encourage your child to spend time on campus rather than pressuring him/her to frequently return home.

What may be most difficult for parents is the fact that their child is no longer at home. Everyone copes differently, so you probably know other parents who act as if nothing has happened and may even be glad that their child is out of the house. However, some parents may grieve over their child being away from home. Whatever the case may be, it is healthy for parents to have mixed feelings about their child leaving for college. It is important for parents to spend their time wisely by taking care of yourself when your child does leave for college. Take the time to rediscover old interests and new activities. Maintaining your physical and emotional health is very important. Look to friends for support and talk to other individuals who understand what you are going through.

Keep in mind that college is a huge adjustment for your child and for you, too. It may be tough for you, but try to find ways to fill that void in your life, it will be much easier, and you will have much more to talk about with your son or daughter.